From the Rector
Invitation, connection, transfiguration

What are we here for? Perhaps the clue is in our name: we are the ‘Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, San Mateo.’ 
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1-2
‘Transfigured’ is a verb; we are here to do something, and the story of the Transfiguration is about seeing the creator in the face of a man who invited people to reconnect with themselves, each other and with God. 
Bay Area life can be grueling. We invite you to step aside and deeply connect with the creator, yourself, and other people who want to transform our world.
Because Transfiguration exists, more people will find ways to pause and reflect on the stress of day-to-day life in our high-paced culture. They will discover their connection to God, to themselves and to other creative people. Finally, they will form partnerships that will positively impact the world we live in.
Here are six things we know about Transfiguration that we will continue to grow more deeply into:
Transfiguration is known for its warm invitation.
Transfiguration is known for partnerships.
Transfiguration is known as a place where deep connections occur.
Transfiguration is known for its creativity.
Transfiguration is known by its service to those in need.
Transfiguration is known as a growing church.
Love,
Matthew+


Today, January 31 -a Parish-wide Eucharist at 10am followed by brunch & Annual Meeting 
Our annual meeting takes place on Jan 31st after a combined service at 10am. We will have a parish photograph taken together, share brunch and take time to reflect on our parish ministry, review our finances and elect parish leadership for the next year.  Childcare will be available through the end of the Annual Meeting.
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Farewell Eric!
We say a final farewell to our Director of Music next Sunday, February 7th. Please join us at our Annual Meeting brunch as we will be saying goodbye to Eric formally today. Some of you have asked if you might give Eric a gift. He will be receiving a card from all of us and you may sign that today and next week. If you would like to give Eric a monetary gift please place it in the offering plate in a sealed envelope marked Eric Choate. We are happy to collect gifts and give them to him, but these are not gifts to the parish, they are gifts directly to Eric, so they are not tax deductible. Any checks should be made payable to Eric Choate.

Chapel Time And Kids Club Sign-ups
Now is the time to sign up for the rest of the program year for these ministries. Please follow this link to find the sign ups. Thanks.
http://www.transfig-sm.org/members.html

Coffee Hour
We have many open Sundays for coffee hour hosting, for the 9:30, 10:30 & combined 10:00 services.  Please take a look at the link below and sign-up.  Thank you! 
http://www.transfig-sm.org/members.html 

Women’s Retreat: Feb. 26-28 @ Bishop’s Ranch 
Registration for the 2016 Women’s Retreat is now open. Forms are available online and at church. This year’s theme is Gifts of the Spirit. We will gather Friday evening through Sunday midday for social time, prayer, small group reflections, and Eucharist. Saturday afternoon is open for free time at the ranch or in town. Partial and full scholarships are available. If you have any questions, please contact Jan Jensen or Monica Whitaker.  Women's Retreat Registration form

Evensong celebrating those married or partnered 50+ years 
​Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, bishop of California, cordially invite couples who have been married or partnered for 50 years or more to celebrate their years together at an Evensong on Sunday, February 28, at 3 p.m. This festal Choral Evensong will be sung by the Cathedral Camerata. Couples are invited to renew their wedding vows during the service, and the bishop will pronounce God’s blessing. A celebratory reception follows the service. To receive an invitation, or to request an invitation for a couple you know, register at gracecathedral.org/50plus or contact the Rev. Nina Pickerrell, [email protected], 415.749.6361.

From the Rector
Three Stories
There are three powerful stories that we tell at this time of year, and each are lenses into who Jesus is.

The first is the story of the Three Kings. We told this story last week with the help of the wise Kearns girls. The story of the three kings reminds us that when we are looking for meaning we need to step outside of our ordinary lives, we need to be patient and we need to look in unexpected places. I preached on this last Sunday.
The second Story we hear today, it is the story of the Baptism of Jesus, when the dove descends and reveals him to be more than just another man or another preacher. This is the man who opens up a conduit between earth and heaven. In fact he is the conduit! God speaks to us about him and through him, if we will only listen.

The third story we tell during the season of Epiphany is quite different, but also very meaningful. We tell the story of the transformation of water into wine at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee. This is a strange story, in that it seems like Jesus is just making sure everyone can have a good party, but it is told in Epiphany precisely because it is Jesus' first miracle. it is the first time that we see him exercising his divine power and so we see him in a new light. It is interesting to me that God is revealed in Jesus in the context of a joyful celebration. Perhaps that is always where we see God most clearly.

Love,   
Matthew+

News & Announcements
 - also see www.transfig-sm.org

January Service Times
During this month we will be holding two Eucharists each Sunday morning, at 8am we have the Traditional Eucharist, and at 10am the Community Eucharist. A godly play story will be told each Sunday during the Community Eucharist and there will be Kids Club and Chapel Time programs.  Child care will be provided also.  On the last Sunday, January 31st, we will have one parish-wide service at 10am, with a brunch and Annual meeting.

Men's Retreat: Roots
Matthew is on retreat with sixteen men from our community exploring the idea of rootedness at our annual Men's Retreat at St. Dorothy's Rest this weekend. Please keep them in your prayers for a wonderful time of refreshment, reflection and comraderie and a safe journey back home. 

Annual Meeting 
Our annual meeting takes place on Jan 31st after a combined service at 10am. We will share brunch and take time to reflect on our parish ministry, review our finances and elect parish leadership for the next year. Nominations are open for the Vestry and Deanery Representatives posts, if you are interested in running for any of these roles, speak to any of our Nominating Committee members:  Jan Jensen, Keith Jobe, Virginia Fox, Claudia Dierkes-Banks and George Philipp.

Coffee Hour
The year begins again, and so does our desire to drink coffee together in fellowship. We have many open Sundays in the coming months, for the 9:30 and 10:30 services as well as combined 10:00 services on first Sundays.  Please take a look at the link below and sign-up or call Bethany Lukach at 831-229-4723 and she will sign you up.  Thank you! 
To find all volunteer opportunities go to: 
http://www.transfig-sm.org/members.html

ETBC and Vestry Day
If you are a new member of the Vestry, or just interested in how parish and diocesan governance works then please register to go to the Vestry/Bishop's Committee Day at Grace Cathedral on Jan 30th, 10am to 5pm. 
The Keynote Speaker is Mary Parmer, who is a specialist in congregational development from the diocese of Texas. She will be speaking on 'Invite-Welcome-Connect' - a framework for parish welcome ministries.
There will also be oprortunities for people who wish to be trained as Eucharistic Ministers to get their accreditation on this day.

Upcoming Events 
January 24
noon - Transfig Teens
6:15pm - Distil Potluck (Bethany's)
February 9 
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
5-7pm 
February 10
Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins
Noon - Traditional
5pm - Joyful Noise
7pm - Musical
February 26-28
Women's Retreat at The Bishop's Ranch